@DG how so? Most likely it will be superseded by the next Xbox so unless MS are going to allow some sort of upgrade path (not likely) or make the X the base for next gen (possible given the idea of a "family" of devices) getting an X to future proof does not seem like a good idea.

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Would You Play a New Retro Darkwing Duck Game?

The cartoon that first took flight in 1991 and gave a whole generation that catchphrase, “I am the terror that flaps in the night!”, could have had a new retro game release once upon a time. Gameplay footage of a prototype game made by the makers of Sonic Mania, Headcannon Games, has surfaced and the story of its creation could leave some fans of the caped duck defender wondering what could have been.

Originally released by Capcom on the NES in 1992, the game remains a fan favourite and with the 2017 release of The Disney Afternoon Collection, it has been saved from vanishing into obscurity. But some people thought that the beaked crusader could still have some life left in his franchise. The prototype demo was originally created as a pitch to Capcom after the idea was broached with them at last year’s E3.

According to Headcannon’s Simon Thomley aka Stealth, a team was formed and a one-level demo was made. That demo is now available for download here. Sadly, there was little further communication from Capcom on the subject. More recently, a “credible source” finally advised him that Disney would most likely refuse the project.

Given the company’s recent history of Marvel TV show cancellations off Netflix and the consolidation of its franchise properties, it is unlikely that the House of Mouse would greenlight a Darkwing Duck game unless they saw a benefit in it.

The full story as well as the game dev commentary can be heard in this video.

The demo does remain true to the original look of the old console game and the animated series. The cell shading and pixelation of the animation harkens back to that retro era. However, the controls have been given an upgrade and are now more fluid. This is great news for anyone that ever did repeated level runs on 2D platformers whose controls could prove somewhat unforgiving and swore it was the controls that caused their failure. Whether or not a 21st century release of a retro game would work is anyone’s guess but given the wave of retro reboots in the film industry, it makes sense that the gaming industry isn’t far off doing the same.